Reflections from Vinitaly: Big Things Ahead for Dante Wine
By Chef Nick Strawhecker
Every spring, thousands of winemakers, sommeliers, chefs, and importers gather in Verona for Vinitaly—the largest wine conference in the world. For me, it’s not just a chance to taste incredible wines; it’s a reunion. This year, I had the pleasure of traveling with two people who have been by my side for years: my dad, Kurt Strawhecker, and our longtime partner and friend, Mark McDonald, owner of The Italian Vine. After this years event, I can honestly say: I’ve never been more excited about what’s to come at Dante.
Together, we walked the endless halls of Vinitaly tasting, learning, and dreaming up what’s next for Dante’s private label wine program—and believe me, there are some exciting things on the horizon.
One of the best parts of the trip was reconnecting with old friends—people we’ve been proud to work with and call part of the Dante family for over a decade. We caught up with Federica Zeni of Zeni Wine, whose energy and passion for winemaking is as contagious as ever. We shared laughs and plans with Bernardo Di Miceli of Cantina Patria, whose Sicilian wines have long had a home on our list. And we spent time with the always-gracious Chiara Dracco of Cascina Adelaide, whose Barolos continue to set the bar for elegance and depth.
Vinitaly always reminds me how personal this work is. The wines we pour at Dante aren’t just labels—they’re relationships, history, and shared values. We bring those bottles back not just because they’re delicious, but because we believe in the people behind them. The next chapter is coming, and it’s delicious.
This year’s trip also marked a major step forward in growing our Dante private label wines, a project we’ve poured our hearts into. With support from producers like La Raia and others, we’re crafting wines that reflect everything we love about Italian winemaking: transparency, terroir, and timeless quality.
We’ll be sharing more soon—new bottles, new stories, and new reasons to raise a glass. In the meantime, come by Dante, ask us what’s open, and let us pour you something special.
Salute, Nick
